“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.”
— Audre Lorde
The Being Love Herbal Wellness Center and Apothecary was established to support activism and resident resiliency in Chester Pennsylvania and vicinity. A key goal is to help prevent burnout among the local residents, organizers, and activists whose work moves the social justice needle. To that end, the Herbal Wellness Center offers holistic, regenerative wellness treatments to those who serve, and those who remain strong while living on the front lines of marginalization in Chester.
During the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements, self-care which helped prevent activist burnout, evolved into a political act.
Activist burnout occurs when movement organizers feel depressed, overwhelmed, hopeless, or frustrated after an extensive period of activism. Rosa Parks practiced yoga for many years. While incarcerated, Angela Davis and Ericka Huggins of the Black Panther Party took care of themselves with yoga, mindfulness, and meditation practices.
Self-care wasn’t viewed as a luxury, but as a technique for self-empowerment to continue the fight for social injustices. Self-care sustains us while we do the hard work.